The State Senate's current leader is in line for another term.
State Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Brockway) was nominated on Thursday by his Republican colleagues for reelection as president pro tempore.
The full Senate will vote on his nomination in January.
Along with that position, Scarnati also serves as Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor. He was elevated to the position last week following the death of former Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll.
"I am honored and humbled by the trust that mycolleagues have shown in giving me the opportunity to lead this great institution," Scarnati said Thursday afternoon. "Without question, I once again stand ready to accept the many challenges that lie ahead and look forward to my continued involvement in both policy matters and budget discussions."
Scarnati, 46, was elected to the State Senate in 2001. He previously owned and operated three businesses in the Brockway area, including a restaurant, a personal care home and a motel. He assumed the position of president pro tempore in November 2006, succeeding Robert Jubiliere, who was defeated in his bid for reelection.
Scarnati maintained that he will push for reform measures in the state's General Assembly, while fighting to "restore fiscal sanity in the budget process."
"The General Assembly led by the Senate, and more specifically Senate Republicans, saw the merit of promoting sound fiscal policies," Scarnati said. "As we are now experiencing a revenue downfall due in large part to federal economic struggles, this objective proved to be beneficial."
The State Senate's president pro tempore is a constitutional officer, presiding in the absence of the lieutenant governor over the Senate. The office is second in line of succession to the governor. The president pro tempore is elected by Senate membership. Scarnati's responsibilities include appointing committee chairs, voting on bills and leading the senate. In joint General Assembly issues, the president pro tempore confers with the speaker of the state's House of Representatives.